Besan Laddoo
Delicious and aromatic chickpea flour (besan) balls, sweetened and bound with ghee, often adorned with nuts. A quintessential Indian sweet for celebrations and festivals.
🧂 Ingredients
- 250 g Besan (gram flour)(Use fine gram flour for a smoother texture. Coarse gram flour can also be used for a more rustic laddoo.)
- 150 g Ghee (clarified butter)(Ensure it's melted and at room temperature.)
- 200 g Powdered sugar (or confectioners' sugar)(Sifted to ensure no lumps.)
- 4 pods Green cardamom pods(Seeds only, finely crushed or ground.)
- 20 Almonds(Blanched and slivered or chopped for garnish.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the cardamom: Crush the seeds from the cardamom pods into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Set aside.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 2
Roast the besan: In a heavy-bottomed pan or kadai, melt the ghee over low heat. Once melted, add the besan. Stir continuously with a whisk or spatula to prevent lumps and ensure even roasting. The mixture will be liquidy at first, then thicken as the besan roasts. Continue roasting on low heat, stirring constantly, for about 25-30 minutes. The besan should change to a slightly deeper golden hue and release a nutty, aromatic fragrance. The raw smell of besan should disappear completely. Be careful not to burn it.
⏱️ 25-30 minutes - 3
Cool the mixture: Remove the pan from the heat. Continue stirring for another minute or two to dissipate residual heat. Let the roasted besan-ghee mixture cool down slightly for about 5-10 minutes. It should still be warm enough to shape but not so hot that it burns your hands.
⏱️ 5-10 minutes - 4
Add flavorings: Add the sifted powdered sugar and the ground cardamom powder to the slightly cooled besan-ghee mixture. Mix thoroughly until well combined. The mixture might seem a bit crumbly at this stage.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 5
Shape the laddoos: Take a small portion of the mixture (about 1-2 tablespoons) in your palm. Press and roll it between your palms to form a firm, round ball (laddoo). If the mixture feels too dry and crumbly to hold its shape, you can add a teaspoon more of melted ghee. If it feels too loose, let it cool a bit longer. The warmth of the mixture is crucial for binding.
⏱️ 10-15 minutes - 6
Garnish: Gently press a slivered or chopped almond onto the top of each laddoo as a garnish. Allow the laddoos to set completely at room temperature for about 30 minutes before storing.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Constant stirring is essential during roasting to prevent the besan from burning and to achieve an even, nutty flavor.
- ✓Roast on low heat only. High heat will burn the besan quickly, resulting in a bitter taste.
- ✓The mixture must be warm (but not hot) when shaping. If it cools too much, it will become difficult to bind and may crumble.
- ✓The final laddoo should hold its shape well but have a slightly crumbly texture when bitten into, indicating it's perfectly roasted and bound.
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can use a mix of ghee and unsalted butter.
- ✓Ensure powdered sugar is sifted to avoid lumps in the laddoos.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Motichoor laddoo (made from tiny fried gram flour balls called boondi)
- Boondi laddoo (larger fried gram flour balls)
- Rava laddoo (made with semolina)
- Coconut laddoo (adding desiccated or fresh coconut)
- Dry fruit laddoo (adding chopped nuts and dried fruits)